When former PA Susie Lanson-Carr was thinking of a name for her new business, her thoughts turned to flowers. “I looked for something that was soft and pretty, but I wanted a name that was completely original. I love poppies, but when I put it into Google, it brought up lots of companies. But Poppies and Lilies is a perfect name.”

Ms Lanson-Carr, 35, started her ‘lifestyle management’ business last autumn, just as the economy went into freefall.

But she said: “It was the right time for me. I'm using the experience from all the jobs that I have had before and joining it into one place.

“I was a private PA, then I worked in marketing and events for five years, and then in property for about six years. Then I started offering PA services, and it feels like everything has rolled into one.”

She works for busy business people, doing everything from running errands and organising events and entertainment to home maintenance.

“I organised a few weddings this summer. It can be quite varied — I do anything that needs doing."

She added: “People think it would be great to have someone helping for a week, but they need flexibility.

“Someone can say ‘I need you to help me move home’, for example. Lots of it is ad hoc — at the moment, I am recruiting a member of staff for someone. But I also like to get to know people and build up a relationship.”

At first, most of the work was through word of mouth, but she has one client attracted by her Internet site.

She has friends in Hampstead, where she stays when she has to work in London, but she is keen to build up business in Oxford, where she moved last year. I had worked for Scott Fraser and Hamptons in Oxford, and I have my own property here, so it felt like coming home.”

She realises that it's not an ideal time to start a business, but she believes the economic situation means there is even more call for ad hoc services.

“It is not a very good time at the moment for lots of people, but I think there is scope to develop the business. Some people are short of time and it's a good solution if you don't want to employ someone full-time to organise an event, or do shopping or other errands. People are thinking that they need things done, but they don't want to take on staff.”

o Contact: Poppies and Lilies on 07540 868702.

Web: www.poppies-and-lilies.co.uk